Posted on 08/05/2025 2:54:25 PM PDT by nickcarraway
The candy company is working to protect Peanut M&M's, and so much more.
Key Points:
-Mars announced its "Mars Protect the Peanut Plan," a program backed by a $5 million investment that will focus on protecting peanut crops from climate change.
-Research for the program will center on developing peanut varieties that are resistant to issues like pests, weather, and disease.
-This follows a previous $10 million investment from Mars that led to the mapping of the peanut genome.
From increasing arsenic levels in rice to raising the price of coffee, it has become clear that climate change poses a threat to many parts of our food supply. That pressure extends to sweet treats too, with chocolate companies like Hershey raising prices as cocoa crops struggle. However, its competitor Mars is hoping to protect at least one crucial component of candy production with a massive investment in engineering a peanut variety that will last long into the future.
On Thursday, Mars announced the "Mars Protect the Peanut Plan," its first organized program aimed at "safeguarding the peanut against increasing pressures that threaten the reliability of global supply." Mars currently owns two of the biggest peanut-centric candies on the market, Peanut M&M's and Snickers.
Its mission, the brand explains, is to help reduce crop losses across the peanut supply chain from the farm to the candy factory, which it notes cost farmers "millions" in revenue. And it's not just about ensuring peanuts are ready for candy. The company also details that it wants to protect a "key source of protein for millions of families worldwide."
"We have long believed that Mars can play a unique role as an engine of innovation, which is why we're thinking in generations and betting big on science to protect the peanut," Amanda Davies, the chief research and development, procurement, and sustainability officer for Mars Snacking, shares in the announcement.
According to Davies, "We know that the perfect peanut won't be discovered by accident. It will take long-term investment, scientific ingenuity, and the dedication of our incredible partners to keep turning potential into progress, from the greenhouse to the farmer's field. After all, innovation without implementation is just imagination."
The program is backed by a five-year, $5 million investment, which will go toward funding research to advance the genomic science of peanuts and develop hardier peanut varieties that can withstand environmental challenges like "pests, disease, and unpredictable weather."
Here’s Why You Should Consider Buying Frozen Produce Over Fresh Right Now This announcement follows another decade-long, $10 million investment from Mars into a "suite of state-of-the-art scientific efforts," including mapping the peanut genome. That investment has led to the mapping of more than 2.5 billion base pairs of DNA, according to Mars, which it adds is "roughly equivalent to the human genome." The consumer-packaged-goods company has made the data from its research open source to ensure all scientists have access to the information.
This research has already assisted the University of Georgia's Wild Peanut Lab in developing more resilient peanut varieties, which it says can boost crop yields by up to 30%. As The New York Times notes, the team at the University of Georgia has already developed a peanut plant that can grow in Georgia fields infested with nematodes, ensuring higher crop yields in spite of the pests.
"The cultivated peanut was a once-in-a-millennium accident of nature, but we can't afford to wait for chance to strike twice. Creating more resilient peanuts requires transformative science, discipline, and partnership," Dr. Soraya Bertioli, senior research scientist in the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Georgia, shares. Bertioli also points out that "our breakthroughs would not be possible without the long-term support of Mars."
So there ARE people on Mars!
“it has become clear that climate change poses a threat to many parts of our food supply”
...in a country that has the fatter “poor people” on the planet. They just can’t help themselves.
It’s expensive to import peanuts from Earth.
Stopped at climate change. An author who uses those words is not worth reading.
I started growing peanuts as ground cover. Although I must shoot the hoards of squirrels that would otherwise eat everything I grow, (pears, peaches, kiwi, grapes, etc...), I take no pressure in doing so. Traps don't work. They just find their way back home in a few weeks. They are like furry homing pigeons.
Peanuts and beans like pinto, black, and cranberry, produce impressive yields with little to no input. It seems like now I'm going to need a way to grow Cocoa bean plants?!!
Peanuts are gross. Martian peanuts are beyond disgusting. Mars has climate change too.
“$5 million investment that will focus on protecting peanut crops from climate change”
Can’t have all that stray carbon dioxide making peanut plants thrive like crazy now can we!?
You need some Cajun goobers. Spicy.
From increasing arsenic levels in rice to raising the price of coffee, it has become clear that climate change poses a threat to many parts of our food supply.
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Stacy is rather dumb, isn’t she?
😄
We are doomed!
I wonder if Jupiter and Venus will compete with Mars?
Lab altered GMO Peanuts.
Well, so far the other planets seem to be slackers compared to Mars.
Well, so far the other planets seem to be slackers compared to Mars.
What about The Milky Way?
The perfect peanut is the Virginia Peanut. They are larger and a bit oiler with a very crunchy radicle.
The radicle is the little piece that holds the two sides together.
The Good Earth Peanut Company in southern Virginia have the best ones I’ve found.
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